Panel track curtain system

ABSTRACT

The panel track curtain system includes a plurality of panels each suspended from a substantially rigid slat which is itself suspended from at least one track of the panel track curtain system. The panels at least partially overlap each other when the curtain system is in a closed position, thus defining an overlapping zone between adjacent ones of the panels. The overlapping zone includes an overlapped region of an underlying panel and an overlapping region of an overlying panel. The panels each have at least one aesthetic characteristic on their front surface, and includes a longitudinally extending band that has a width determined by that of the overlapping zone. These bands create a repeating vertical band pattern when the curtain system is closed. This vertical band pattern reduces a level of perceptibility of the overlapped region, which is visible through the superimposed overlapping region.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to curtain systems, and more particularly to a panel track type curtain system having several flat panels suspended from overhead tracks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Curtain systems which comprise several suspended substantially flat panels, for example made of a curtain material, are known. In the past, such systems typically comprises a number of parallel tracks which are mounted to the ceiling above the opening (window, door, etc.) which the curtain system is to cover, and having a similar number of curtain panels, each one suspended within a separate track. For example, if four curtain panels were employed, then four distinct tracks were required, whether mounted together in a common housing or not. Accordingly, in such a system, it was possible for the panels to completely overlap one another, such as when the curtain panels are drawn aside to expose the opening there-behind. Conversely, however, when fully drawn, very little if no overlap between each adjacent panel occurs given their distinct tracks (i.e. the edges of two adjacent panels could be substantially aligned such that very little overlap of the fabric of one panel would exist over that of the next panel).

More recently, improved panel track type curtain systems have been developed with employ only two parallel tracks mounted to the ceiling, from which a plurality of flat curtain panels may be suspended. The advantage with such a system is that fewer tracks are required, simplifying the installation and allowing a more visually appealing final system. However with such as system, for example as disclosed in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,506,623, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, it becomes necessary that each curtain panel must at least partially overlap the next adjacent curtain panel, even when the curtain system is fully drawn (i.e. when the panels extends fully across the opening which they are intended to cover). The width of this overlap is typically of the order of ¼ of the total width of each panel.

While in some situations this overlap of adjacent suspended panels in a panel track curtain system is not problematic, for example when the panels are completely opaque (ex: wood, etc.), when a translucent panel material is used, such as a standard curtain material for example, these overlapped regions have found to be unsightly to some users. Particularly, when light shines through a window covered by such a panel track system having overlapping curtain panels, the overlapped regions appear as darker vertical bands caused by the double-layer of curtain panel fabric in these regions. Although in practice no harm is done by this, aesthetically speaking it is somewhat unattractive. Given that in addition to their use to prevent people outside the building from seeing therein through the given opening (ex: window or door), another use of curtain systems is for improving the aesthetic appeal of the inside the building, this reduced aesthetic caused by the overlapping curtain panels of such as panel track curtain system is undesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved panel track curtain system.

Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel track curtain system for covering a wall opening comprising: a plurality of panels each defining an upper edge, a lower edge, two longitudinally extending side edges and front and back surfaces, each said upper edge being engaged to a substantially rigid slat such that the panel hangs freely therefrom, the slat being suspended from at least one track of the panel track curtain system; said panels at least partially overlapping each other when the curtain system is disposed in a closed position such as to define an overlapping zone between adjacent ones of the panels, the overlapping zone including an overlapped region of an underlying panel and an overlapping region of an overlying panel; and each of the panels having at least one aesthetic characteristic on the front surface thereof which defines a longitudinally extending band having a band width determined by a width of the overlapping zone, the aesthetic characteristics of the panels creating a repeating vertical band pattern when the curtain system is disposed in a closed position which reduces a level of perceptibility of the overlapped region of the underlying panel visible through said overlapping region of the overlying panel.

There is also provided, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a panel track curtain system for covering a wall opening comprising: a pair of tracks adapted to be mounted parallel to each other above the opening; a plurality of panels each defining an upper edge, a lower edge, two longitudinally extending side edges and front and back surfaces, each said upper edge being engaged to a substantially rigid slat such that the panel hangs freely therefrom; first and second fastening elements disposed at respective opposed ends of each of said slats for suspending the slats from said pair of tracks, the first and second fastening elements each having a portion received within a different one of said pair of tracks such that each of the opposed ends of said slats is suspended from said different one of the pair of tracks, the slats and the panels thereby hanging at an angle relative to the pair of tracks; and said panels at least partially overlapping each other when the curtain system is disposed in a closed position such as to define an overlapping zone between adjacent ones of the panels, the overlapping zone having a first width and including an overlapped region of an underlying panel and an overlapping region of an overlying panel, each of the panels having a longitudinally extending band having a second width substantially equal to said first width, the longitudinally extending band on each of the adjacent panels creating a repeating vertical band pattern when the plurality of panels of the curtain system are disposed in a closed position, said repeating vertical band pattern reducing a level of perceptibility, within the overlapping zone, of the overlapped region of the underlying panel visible through said overlapping region of the overlying panel.

There is also provided, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a panel for a panel track curtain system, the panel comprising: an upper edge, a lower edge and two longitudinally extending side edges, the upper edge being configured for mounting to a substantially rigid slat from which the panel hangs; and a band extending along one of said longitudinally extending side edges, said band having an opacity greater than that of a remainder of said panel, said band overlapping a portion of an adjacent panel when a plurality of such panels are suspended by the panel track curtain system.

There is further provided, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a panel for a panel track curtain system, the method comprising: producing a substantially rectangular panel of a first material, the panel having an upper edge, a lower edge and two longitudinally extending side edges; and providing a band extending along one of said longitudinally extending side edges of said panel, said band having an opacity greater than that of a remainder of said panel.

There is further provided, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of obscuring an overlapped region of a panel in a panel track curtain system having a plurality of said panels, the method comprising providing each of said panels with an at least partially opaque band extending along a longitudinally extending side edge thereof, said band overlapping said overlapped region of a next adjacent one of said panels when the curtain system is disposed in a fully closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a panel track curtain system of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the panel track curtain system in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is schematic cross-sectional view taken through line A-A in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a single panel for use in a panel track curtain system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a panel track curtain system of the prior art, which includes generally a rail assembly having two rails 7,8 which are mounted to the ceiling 12 of the room, above the opening to be covered by the curtain system. Such an opening may include, for example, a window, a glass door, etc. A number of substantially flat curtain panels 9 are suspended from the two rails 7,8. The two rails 7,8 are run parallel to one another at a small distance away from each other. Each curtain panel 9 comprises a panel carriage with a substantially rigid slat 1, from which the curtain panel 9 may freely hang. A hollow seam at the upper edge of the curtain panel may for example be provided such that the slat 1 is received therethrough. So that the curtain material hangs freely, the lower seam of the panel may also be provided with tensioning weights, for example including a weighted rod disposed within the lower hollow seam of the panel. Each slat 1 on which the curtain panel 9 hangs is provided at both opposed ends with fastening means 4 which are engaged with a slider or roller 6 that is received within the rails 7 or 8. For each curtain panel 9, the left ends 2 of the slats 1 with their fastening means 4 are hung on the sliders 6 which slide in the front rail 7 facing the observer. The respective the right ends 3 of the slats 1 on the other side, with their fastening means 4 are hung on the sliders 6 which slide in the rail 8 behind the front 7. Therefore, as a result of this arrangement, the individual panels 9 are compelled to hang at a slightly oblique angle with regard to the running direction of the rail 7, 8.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the panel track curtain system 10 in accordance with one aspect of the present invention is shown. The panel track curtain system 10 generally includes a pair of tracks or rails 7,8, and a plurality of substantially flat panels 14 which hang from substantially rigid slats 1 having opposed ends 2,3 that are respectively supported within the rails 7,8 by fastening elements 6, the fastening elements engaging the opposed ends 2,3 of each of the slats 1 and being suspended within the tracks 6,7 for displacement therewithin. The fastening elements 6 may comprise any suitable attachment member which permits an end of the slat 1 to be suspended therefrom (preferably being removably engaged thereto) and which includes a portion which is received within the tracks for displacement therealong. This portion of the fastening elements 6 which is received within the tracks may include a slider, a roller, or the like, permitting relatively smooth sliding motion of the fastening element within the tracks. The substantially rigid supporting slats 1 may be made of any suitable material, such as metal, wood, plastic, composites, etc, providing they have sufficient strength.

The tracks 7,8 are mounted spaced apart from each other above the opening (not shown) to be covered by the curtain system. As noted above, such an opening may include a door, a window, a room partition or the like. In the depicted embodiment, these tracks 7,8 are mounted to the ceiling 12 and are substantially parallel to each other. The tracks 7,8 may also be integrated into a common housing, rather than being individual as depicted, and the rails 7,8 can of course also be mounted on a suitable support structure, such as a board or a box assembly, which is disposed lower than the ceiling 12 and may be mounted to the wall itself, for example.

Referring particularly now to the panels 14, the panels 14 comprise an upper edge 16, a lower edge 18 and a pair of longitudinally extending side edges 20 extending between the upper and lower edges. Preferably, the panels 14 are substantially rectangular in shape, however it is to be understood that alternate shapes and configurations are possible. Further, although the panels 14 may be substantially flat in at least one embodiment, in that they hang in a substantially planar manner, it is to be understood that these panels 14 may be made of a fabric and as such may have wrinkles, creases, and the like therein, and further that they may have ornamentation and/or other decorative elements disposed thereon. As such, the panels 14 may not necessarily be flat in the sense of lack of surface roughness, but rather are flat in that they typically hang down in a given plane. Further, the panels 14 may also be provided with a certain curvature. For example, the panels 14 may be either concave or convex along the longitudinal length of the panels.

Each of the panels 14 includes at least one aesthetic characteristic thereon, and more particularly on a front surface thereof (i.e. a surface facing the room, as opposed to a surface facing the window or door covered by the curtain system), which defines a longitudinally extending band 22. The longitudinally extending band 22 defines a band width 26 which is less than a total width of the panel 14. In one embodiment, the band width 26 is less than half of this total panel width, and in yet another more preferred embodiment, the band width 26 is approximately one third of the total panel width. Of course, alternate configurations are possible, for example in which the band width 26 is less than one third of the total panel width. The width 26 of the band 22 is in fact determined by a width of an overlapping zone 28 (best seen in FIG. 3) which is defined between adjacent panels 14 which at least partially overlap each other when the curtain system 10 is disposed in a closed position, i.e. when the curtain panels 14 are drawn closed such that they substantially cover the wall opening therebehind. Thus, when the curtain system is closed, the adjacent panels 14 thereof each substantially overlap one another due to the common tracks 7,8 from which they are all suspended. When the panels overlap, they define such an overlapping zone 26 between adjacent and overlapping panels. Referring more particularly to FIG. 3, each of these overlapping zones 26 between adjacent panels 14 include an overlapped region 30 of an underlying panel 32 and an overlapping region 34 of an overlying panel 36. Of course, as several of such “pairs” of overlapping panels exist in the curtain system 10, the overlying panel 36 would become an underlying panel relative to a next adjacent panel (for example to the right of the panel 36 in FIG. 3).

Referring back to FIG. 2, each of the panels 14 thus include an aesthetic characteristic thereon which defines the longitudinally extending band 22. Thus, with several of such panels adjacent each other in a closed position of the curtain system, this creates a repeating vertical band pattern, which helps to reduce a level of perceptibility (that is to the user standing within the room) of the overlapped region 30 of each of the underlying panels 32 that is visible through the overlapping region 34 of the associated overlying panels 36. As noted above, in most prior art panel track curtain systems, the overlapped regions of each of the underlying panels is otherwise visible through the overlying panel (for example when light shines through the window covered by the curtain system), which can be unsightly. This problem is obviated or at least significantly reduced with the curtain system 10.

Although the bands 22 may be disposed elsewhere on the panel 14, in at least one embodiment (such as that one depicted), the bands 22 extend along one of the longitudinal side edges 20 of each of the panels, within the aforementioned overlapping zone 28. More specifically, each of the panels 14 includes this band 22 along the same longitudinal edge 20 (i.e. such as along the left-hand side edge of each of the panels in the curtain assembly 10 shown in FIG. 2). However, it at least one alternate embodiment (not shown), the band 22 of the aesthetic characteristic may be disposed outside this overlapping zone 28, that is on the “remainder” 24 of the panel. In such an alternate embodiment, rather than merely obscuring or hiding completely the overlapped region 30 of each underlying panel 32, the band 22 may mimic the appearance of this overlapped region 30 visible through the overlapping region 34 of the overlying panel 36, such as to create another similarly-appearing vertical band. Thus, while the overlapped region 30 remains visible to the user, the band 22 on each panel appears much as the overlapped region does, thus creating an overall visual appearance in which it becomes difficult for the user to distinguish the overlapped region 30, visible through the overlapping region 34, from the adjacent band 22 located more centrally on the panel (i.e. away from the longitudinal side edges 20).

In one embodiment, such as that depicted in FIG. 2 for example, the band 22 disposed along one of the longitudinal side edges 20 within the overlapping zone 28 has an opacity which is greater than that of the remainder 24 of the panel 14, or in other words, the band 22 lets sufficiently less light therethrough than the remainder 24 of each panel 14 (which are therefore necessarily more translucent that the bands 22). As such, light shining from the rear side of the panels (such as through the window covered by curtain system) does not result in the overlapped portion 30 of the underlying panel 32 being visible through the associated overlying panel 36.

In another embodiment, rather than simply being more opaque that the remainder of the panel, the aesthetic characteristic which includes the band 22 may include either a pattern or a colour which differs from the remainder 24 of the panel, such as to provide the same visual effect, i.e. reduce the level of perceptibility of the overlapped region of the underlying panels through the superimposed overlying panels.

The bands 22 may be applied to each of the panels 14 in a number of fashions. Referring now to FIG. 4, the bands 22 may be superimposed on top of the material from which the remainder 24 of the panel 14 is composed, in which case the panel is made up of a first layer of a substantially translucent curtain material 25 extending the full width W of the panel 14 (i.e. having a total width W equal to the band width 26 plus a width 27 of the exposed portion of the material 25), upon which a second layer (i.e. making up the band 22) is applied overtop within the overlapping zone 28 (see FIG. 3). The second layer constituting the band 22 may be adhered, sewn, or otherwise attached to the underlying fabric 25 to which it is overlaid. Alternately, however, a longitudinal side edge 31 of the band 22 may be simply fixed to the remainder portion 24 of the panel along a corresponding longitudinally extending side edge 29 thereof. For example, the band 22 and the remainder portion 24 may be sewn together along abutting longitudinal edges thereof, such as to create each panel 14. In this embodiment, material making up the band 22 is not superimposed upon the base material 25, but rather merely fastened thereto to create a composite panel.

Accordingly, the panels 14 of the panel track curtain system 10 may be manufactured by producing a substantially rectangular panel of a first material, the panel having an upper edge, a lower edge and two longitudinally extending side edges, and subsequently providing a band extending along one of the longitudinally extending side edges of the panel, whether this be by applying the band overtop of the first material or attaching the band to a longitudinal edge of the first material. In both cases, the band extends along one of the longitudinally extending side edges of the finished panel. In one embodiment, this band has an opacity greater than that of the remainder of the panel (i.e. of the first material).

The panel track curtain system 10 as described above thus provides a method of obscuring an overlapped region of a panel thereof. This method, broadly stated, comprises providing each of the panels with an at least partially opaque band extending along a longitudinally extending side edge thereof. The band overlaps the overlapped region of a next adjacent one of the panels (i.e. one of the underlying panels) when the curtain system is disposed in a fully closed position.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary. Those skilled in the art will therefore appreciate that the forgoing description is illustrative only, and that various alternatives and modifications can be devised without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A panel track curtain system for covering a wall opening comprising: a plurality of panels each defining an upper edge, a lower edge, two longitudinally extending side edges and front and back surfaces, each said upper edge being engaged to a substantially rigid slat such that the panel hangs freely therefrom, the slat being suspended from at least one track of the panel track curtain system; said panels at least partially overlapping each other when the curtain system is disposed in a closed position such as to define an overlapping zone between adjacent ones of the panels, the overlapping zone including an overlapped region of an underlying panel and an overlapping region of an overlying panel; and each of the panels having at least one aesthetic characteristic on the front surface thereof which defines a longitudinally extending band having a band width determined by a width of the overlapping zone, the aesthetic characteristics of the panels creating a repeating vertical band pattern when the curtain system is disposed in a closed position which reduces a level of perceptibility of the overlapped region of the underlying panel visible through said overlapping region of the overlying panel.
 2. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 1, wherein the aesthetic characteristic includes at least one of a pattern and colour which differs from that of a remainder of the panels.
 3. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 2, wherein the aesthetic characteristic is disposed throughout said overlapping zone.
 4. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 3, wherein the aesthetic characteristic at least partially obscures the overlapped region of the underlying panel.
 5. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 4, wherein the aesthetic characteristic fully obscures said overlapped region.
 6. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 5, wherein said longitudinally extending band has an opacity greater than that of the remainder of said panels.
 7. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 1, wherein the aesthetic characteristic is disposed outside said zone and mimics an appearance of said overlapped region of the underlying adjacent one of the panels visible through said zone of the forward one of said panels.
 8. The panel track system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least a remainder of each of the panels outside said overlapping zone is made of an at least partially translucent material.
 9. The panel track system as defined in claim 8, wherein said longitudinally extending band is defined only within said overlapping region of each of the overlying panels.
 10. The panel track system as defined in claim 8, wherein an entirety of the panel is made of said at least partially translucent material, said aid longitudinally extending band being disposed overtop said at least partially translucent material within said overlapping region of each of the overlying panels.
 11. The panel track system as defined in claim 1, wherein said overlapping region of the overlying panel is disposed along one of said two longitudinally extending side edges thereof.
 12. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a pair of tracks adapted to be mounted parallel to each other above the opening, and first and second fastening elements disposed at respective opposed ends of each of said slats for suspending the slats from said pair of tracks, the first and second fastening elements being received within a different one of said pair of tracks such that each of the opposed ends of said slats is suspended from said different one of the pair of tracks, the slats and the panels thereby hanging at an angle relative to the pair of tracks.
 13. A panel track curtain system for covering a wall opening comprising: a pair of tracks adapted to be mounted parallel to each other above the opening; a plurality of panels each defining an upper edge, a lower edge, two longitudinally extending side edges and front and back surfaces, each said upper edge being engaged to a substantially rigid slat such that the panel hangs freely therefrom; first and second fastening elements disposed at respective opposed ends of each of said slats for suspending the slats from said pair of tracks, the first and second fastening elements each having a portion received within a different one of said pair of tracks such that each of the opposed ends of said slats is suspended from said different one of the pair of tracks, the slats and the panels thereby hanging at an angle relative to the pair of tracks; and said panels at least partially overlapping each other when the curtain system is disposed in a closed position such as to define an overlapping zone between adjacent ones of the panels, the overlapping zone having a first width and including an overlapped region of an underlying panel and an overlapping region of an overlying panel, each of the panels having a longitudinally extending band having a second width substantially equal to said first width, the longitudinally extending band on each of the adjacent panels creating a repeating vertical band pattern when the plurality of panels of the curtain system are disposed in a closed position, said repeating vertical band pattern reducing a level of perceptibility, within the overlapping zone, of the overlapped region of the underlying panel visible through said overlapping region of the overlying panel.
 14. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 13, wherein said longitudinally extending band is disposed within said overlapping region of each of the overlying panels.
 15. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 14, wherein said longitudinally extending band fully obscures said overlapped region of the underlying panel.
 16. The panel track curtain system as defined in claim 15, wherein said longitudinally extending band has an opacity greater than that of a remainder of said overlying panel.
 17. The panel track system as defined in claim 16, wherein at least said remainder of the overlying panel is made of an at least partially translucent material.
 18. A panel for a panel track curtain system, the panel comprising: an upper edge, a lower edge and two longitudinally extending side edges, the upper edge being configured for mounting to a substantially rigid slat from which the panel hangs; and a band extending along one of said longitudinally extending side edges, said band having an opacity greater than that of a remainder of said panel, said band overlapping a portion of an adjacent panel when a plurality of such panels are suspended by the panel track curtain system.
 19. The panel as defined in claim 18, wherein said remainder of the panel is made of an at least partially translucent material.
 20. The panel as defined in claim 19, wherein the panel is completely made of said at least partially translucent material, said band being applied overtop thereof along said one of said longitudinally extending side edges. 